Inkwell



Dec. 16, 19.52 H, C, KLAGGES 2,621,629

INKWELL Filed April 30, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Dec. 16, 1952 H. c. KLAGGES 2,621,629 l INKWELL V Filed April so, 1947 2. sm'rs-sm'r 2 HFNQYCGAGTS l l l ENTOQ,

. A BY 1 ATT NEY Patented Dec. 16, 1952 INKWELL Henry C. Klagges, Haddon Township, Camden County, N. J., assignor to The Esterbrook Pen Company, Camden, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey f Application April 30, 1947, Serial No. 744,863

My invention relates to writing equipment including ink wells and means associated therewith whereby `ink may be elevated to keep supplied with ink the fountain feed of a Writing pen assembly of the so-called dip-less type resting therein, in order that such fountain feed may fill up and carry a supply of ink sufflcient for continuous Writing over a period of time greatly exceeding that which can be accomplished from the single dipping of an ordinary pen nib. Such fountain feed will be provided with capillary spaces of suitable character; longitudinally or annularly of the same, or otherwise disposed.

My present invention is in the nature of certain improvements over the constructions and arrangements set forth in the patent of H. C. Kofke and H. C. Klagges, No. 2,304,832, dated December l5, 1942, and is based upon the principle of capillary action whereby the ink from a supply within the well is caused to automatically rise and ll or substantially ll the capillary spaces of the fountain feed when the latter, with the pen point or nib associated therewith, is left in the ink well.

A further feature of my invention is to mount upon or associate the ink-elevating means with the cover employed with the ink well, which cover is preferably removable with the elevating means Whenever it becomes necessary to replenish the Well with ink; such cover being arranged to lock itself in place in the upper wall of the Well when restored to its operative and proper position.

A further feature of my invention comprises the Aspecial ink-elevating means which I have developed which may comprise or include a depending element carried or supported by the cover for the inl; well and having a, concavely curved provided in its upper portion with a series of substantially vertical slots which communicate with the capillary space or spaces behind the same; registering with the grooves when the latter are employed, and ink rising in the capillary space or spaces will pass "to and through these slots and into the capillary spaces of the fountain feed-bar lying in contact with the slotted plate. The lcapillary spaces of the fountain feed-'bar receive and store a supply of ink for passage tothe spaces in which ink will rise.

pen point or nib supported by the feed-bar when the assembly is employed in a, writing operation.

A further feature of my invention is the provision of a spring member, which may be of arcuate form and may be carried by the depending portion carried by or associated with the removable cover plate of the ink well opposite the arcuate slotted plate overlying the concavely curved wall surface of the depending portion, whereby said slotted plate may be held in operative position to provide the desired capillary space or In addition, the arcuate spring member is preferably provided with means in the form of a spring prong or prongs which lie in contact with the upper surfacev of the pen point or nib and press the fountain feed-bar underlying the same against the slotted plate of the capillary ink-elevating means.

Other features of my invention will become apparent from a full consideration of the following specification.

These and other features of my invention are more fully pointed out hereinafter; reference being had to 4the accompanying drawings, more or less diagrammatic in character, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of ink Well within the scope of my invention and with Ywhich my improved ink-elevating means may be employed.

Fig. '2 is a longitudinal sectional-view, taken on the line II--IL Fig.. l.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line IIL-III, Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one form of cover plate or closure for the ink well which I may employ; looking toward the underside of the same.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the cover plate, partly in section and on a smaller scale.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of `the cover plate.

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the cover plate.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view, taken on the line VIII-VIII, Fig. 6.

Figs. 9 and 9a are vfragmentary sectional views taken on substantially thesame line as Fig. 8, and on a larger scale; illustrating details of my invention.

Fig. l0 is a perspective view of the slotted plate carried by the depending portion of the cover plate to define the capillary space or spaces.

Fig. `-11 is a perspective view of one form of arcuate spring member for retaining `the slotted plate shown in Fig. l0 in operative position; such view showing also spring prong means designed to engage the pen point to hold the feed-bar against such slotted plate.

',Fg. ,1-2 sis a view in elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one form of fountain or reservoir feedbar which may be associated with the pen point in the use of my improved ink-elevating means.

As well known, writing pen assemblies of the so-called dipless type are provided with fountain feed means or reservoirs designed to hold a liberal supply of ink from a single dipping in an ink supply; such reservoir means being usually in the form of a recessed bar resembling and/or substantially like the feed-bar of a fountain pen, and which may have annular recesses. Such form of feed-bar may have channel means on its upper surface directly underlying the pen point and cutting across the recesses or annular grooves, when present, which receive and retain thel ink supply. The ink which enters these recesses or grooves feeds by capillary action to the pen or pen point overlying the same and thence to the writing end thereof when the pen assembly is employed in a writing operation. It will be understood, of course, that a fountain feed-bar having longitudinal grooves may be employed.

The important feature of my present invention comprises capillary ink-supplying or ink-elevating means including a portion which may be carried by the removable cover of the ink well and arranged to dip into the body of ink therein; such means including a capillary space or spaces in which ink rises for subsequent passage to the capillary spaces of a fountain feed-bar in which the ink so raised is stored for subsequent use; such feed-bar lying in contact with one portion of the ink-elevating means. The writing pen assembly comprising the fountain feed-bar and a pen point associated therewith, which parts are carried by a suitable penholder or pen staff, preferably remains in the ink well when not in use and seals the well against inkevaporation.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a plan view of one form of ink well or ink container within the scope of my invention; being indicated genera-lly at I I. This form of ink container may be of shallow form and more or less oblong in shape with diagonally arranged front edges which may meet at a substantially median point. The top wall II2L of the ink container may have an elevated portion IIb, more or less centrally disposed, which may have a rounded contour toward the front.

Overlying this elevated portion IIb, is the cover plate I2 for the ink container, whose forward edge may be concentric with the forward edge of the elevated portion IIb and whose rear edge may be beveled as indicated at I2. The cover or cover plate is provided with a dipping opening, indicated at I2b, which may be axially disposed with respect to the arcuate forward edge of the same, and this dipping opening is preferably provided with a seat I2c upon which the shouldered end P of the penholder or pen staff P may rest, as indicated in Fig. 3. In this position,

` which is the position of the penholder when not in use, the pen point and the forward end of the feed-bar may dip into the ink but the storage spaces of the feed-bar are above the level of ink in the container II.

The raised portion I Ib of the top wall I Ia of the ink container may be circularly apertured at IIc to provide a lling opening, and the underside of the cover or cover plate I2 is provided with a series of lugs I2d which initially enter notches I4d formed in the edge of the opening IIC. After application; such position being indicated by the broken lines rc, and when the cover is turnedto the right, for instance-the lugs I2d interlock with flanges IIe, preferably having cam faces on their underside, whereby such cover is held in place after being finally positioned, as indicated by the full lines, Fig. l. By preference, in order to pr-ovide a tight sealing t, the raised portion of the top wall II@L is annularly recessed around the filling opening, as indicated at Ilg, for the reception of a suitable gasket I3, which may, be of any suitable elastic material-rubber, or the like. It is within the scope of my invention to employ a plurality of gaskets, if necessary. The underside of the cover plate may have an annular rib or ridge I2e engaging the gasket (or gaskets) so as to firmly seal the cover to the top wall of the ink container when such cover is in its final position.

Depending from the underside of the cover plate and dipping substantially to the lowermost point of the ink well bottom, indicated at I Ih, is a portionwhich may be integral with the cover plateforming part of the improved capillary action ink-elevating means. This depending portion, indicated at I5, may be substantially rec tangular inl cross-sectional contour and is ar ranged at a slight angle to the vertical. It is provided with a through bore having curved wall surfaces of different radii, indicated at I5a and I5b, and is, cut away at the rear portion, as i1- lustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6 to afford a vent for air expansion. The rear curved face of the front wall portion may be smooth or it may be pro vided with substantially vertical ribs 15C indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, defining shallow grooves ld providing spaces of capillary dimensions in which ink will rise. Cooperating with the smooth curved wall surface or the grooves definingV a space or spaces of capillary dimensions of the ink-elevating means, is a curved plate I6 which lies against the concavely curved wall surface- I5a; in properly spaced relation with respect to the smooth wall construction and in contact with the ribs or ridges I5c defining the capillary grooves I5d; such plate I5 having a plurality of slots I6, preferably of capillary dimensions, in its upper portion for the passage of ink from the capillary space or spaces behind the same. The plate I6 may have an upper flange Ib which may rest on a ledge I2f formed in the wall of the dipping opening and just `below the seat for the end of the penholder or pen staff, and flaring side flanges YI6c arranged to hug wall portions formed in the bore of the depending portion I5; see Fig. 10.

In order that the slotted plate may be firmly held in its operative position with respect to the curved wall of the depending member, I provide a retaining element in the form of a curved spring plate 2B, arranged to hug the curved wall I5b and having inturned wall portions 2lia whose free edges engage the side flanges I 6 of the slotted plate, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

To hold the fountain feed-bar of the writing pen assembly in proper position with respect to the slotted plate I6 of the capillary ink-elevating assembly whereby such fountain feed-bar may receive the desired supply of ink therefrom, spring prongs 26h may be employed, carried by the curved spring plate 20; which prongs engage the upper surface of the pen point and press the fountain feed-bar underlying the same into contact with the slotted plate. These prongs may be formed by extensions from the upper edge of the plate 20, and may be bent into such position that their ends -willlengage -the-surfaceof-thepen point when the pen and feed-bar assembly4` is suchs-mooth surfacefisAV formed may be of a suitableplasticy materia-l, such part may have what maybeftermedY a matteu surface so that ink-will clingjto, andrisel upon the-same. An arrangementishowinga-surfaceof this character is-illustratedat l'rin-lig. 9; providing, with the arcuaterplate IG a singlev capillary space which may have a cross-sectional contour in the form of` a lune orcrescent. It isr also within the scope' of myI inventionh toY provide at single capillary space between the curved slotted plate andthe surface lehavingfthe same width dimension throughout its entireextent; A capillary space of this characterisishown at Nif,r Fig. 9a;

The form of the dependingportion of the inkelevating means asillustrated in Figs. 4, Sand 8 isshown as providedwith three substantially vertical' grooves I5d'; it will be understood that a greater or lessernumbermay be provided and thatV in all instancesa suitable number of slots will'be provided'in the curved covering plate I6. These gro'ovesare', in all instances,A ofcapillary dimensions, and the lune-shaped space illustrated in Fig. 9 is also of capillary dimensions. In all instances, ink willrise in. these capillary spaces and pass through the slots I6a of the arcuate plate I6 to supply ink to the capillary spaces of the fountain feed-bar of the Writing pen assembly.

While I have shown the depending portion lilA of the capillary ink-elevating assembly as integral with the cover plate o1" closure, it Willv be understood that such depending part may be a separate piece. properly securedy inA place.

In the-use of my improved writing equipment, it is desirable to thoroughly clean the well when the ink reaches a low point, and to clean the inkelevating means at the same time. For this reason it is desirable to have the ink-elevating means associated with the cover plate so that when the latter is removed to permit a cleaning operation, the ink-elevating means comes with it.

It is highly desirable to keep the fountain feedbar in contact with the slotted plate to insure that its capillary spaces Will receive ink therefrom, and a pair of spring prongs may be provided for this purpose, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 8 and 11. It will be understood of course that a single prong may serve the purpose; such arrangement being illustrated in Fig. 9, and the single prong being indicated at 2Mb.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the pen point n may dip into the body of ink, whose level after initial filling or any subsequent replenishment is indicated at y; thereby wetting the pen point. The capillary spaces of the fountain feed-bar, which receive their ink supply by capillary action from the slots of the concavely curved plate I6, are above the ink level.

One form of fountain feed-bar which may be employed as a part of the writing pen assembly, is shown at F, Fig. 12. The portion underlying the pen point n is annularly recessed; aseries of combsl f, having capillary spaces f between the same in which ink is received'v and stored for subsequent use in a writing operation.

It will be understood, ofcourse, that the form of' ink well shown. in the. drawings is for illustrative purposes only andnot as' limiting, in any way the improved ink-elevating;meansemployed therewith, which may be associated with any suitable form of ink supply into which the inkelevating` means may dip and extend. substantiallyto the bottom ofthe well. or suchink supply.

In theY present instance, the. ink Well or container shown in the. vdrawings has beeny designed to hold acertain amount of ink--approximately two fluid' ounces-which is the quantityusually contained in the small-size bottles of ink, now on the market and selling for ten cents. Any of the well known so-called Fountain Pen inks of commerce may be used with my improved inkelevating means.

In view of the overall size ofv the ink well or container, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, itsv internal cavity would normally hold a greater amount of inkthan two uid ounces. In order to develop an internal space that will receive such qantity, I may provide the bottom wall with enlarged bossesor projections, indicated at H1, preferably with hat tops, which serve the further purpose-of. indicating the height, as at y, to. which the inl; should rise when the well is initially filled or subsequently replenished.

The inkwell has abroad base. and is substantiallynon-tippable. In order to provvide additional; weight and', thereby completely prevent tipping,r I may enclose in the upper. wall of the projections or bosses I l1', sections of metal-lead or the like-indicated at X, and these may be embeddedin place during formation of' the ink well; The bottom wall of the well may slope in two directions toward the point, indicated at Hh, whichA is preferably beneath the lower. end of the ink-elevatingmeanscarried byorassociatedwith the cover platev l2. Any form of bottom having a. lowtpoint'into which the ink-elevating means may'dip is within the scope of my invention.

While I' have illustrated and have described withY some particularity a number of ways in which may invention may be carried into effect, this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation inasmuch as modifications may be made embodying the spirit of my invention; all of which is deemed to be within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ink-elevating means for association with a writing pen and feed-bar assembly; the latter having a comb providing capillary spaces for the reception and storage of ink, comprising a member dipping into an ink supply and having grooves of capillary dimensions, a plate overlying said grooves and defining therewith capillary spaces; said plate having slots of capillary dimensions registering with said capillary grooves for the passage of ink rising therein to the capillary spaces of the feed-bar.

2. Ink-elevating means for association with a writing pen and feed-bar assembly; the latter having a comb providing capillary spaces for the reception and storage of ink, comprising a member dipping into an ink supply and having a concavely curved wall contour approximating the rounded contour of the feed-bar; said curved wall member having grooves of capillary dimensions, and a concavely curved plate in engagement with said grooved wall and defining therewith capillary spaces; said plate having capillary slots in its upper portion registering with said grooves for the passage of ink rising in the capillary spaces provided by the grooves to the capillary spaces of the feed-bar.

3. The combination with an inl; well of a cover therefor, a member depending from said cover and dipping into a body of ink in the well; said fmember having a through bore with a Wall portion diagonally disposed with respect to the upper plane of the cover and said wall portion having a surface arcuate in contour, an arcuate plate overlying said arcuate wall surface; one of said parts having longitudinal grooves defining capillary spaces and said plate having slots of capillary dimensions registering with said grooves and positioned above the ends of the grooves which dip into the ink.

4. Ink-elevating means for association with a writing pen and feed-bar assembly; the latter having capillary spaces for the reception and storage of ink, comprising a member dipping in an ink supply; said member having a through bore including a wall surface having a concave contour approximating the contour of the feed-bar. a curved plate in close proximity to said concave wall surface and defining therewith an arcuate space of capillary dimensions; said plate being slotted for the passage of ink rising in said capillary space to the capillary spaces of the feed-bar and having side flanges, and a tension member mounted in the bore of the member dipping in the ink supply and in engagement with said ilanges to hold the curved plate in operative position.

5. The combination with an ink well containing a supply of ink, of a cover for said well, capillary ink-elevating means carried by said cover comprising a concavely grooved wall portion depending therefrom and a concavely curved plate member having slots in its upper portion overlying said grooved wall portion; said ink-elevating means dipping to the bottom of the ink supply and providing a space in which ink may rise, and spring means supported by the cover opposite the grooved wall portion for holding the parts of the ink-elevating means in operative relation; said ink-elevating means being especially adapted for association with a writing assembly comprising a pen point and a fountain feed-bar having a comb providing capillary spaces for the reception and storage of ink and said feed-bar having a contour conforming to and overlying the slotted plate member of the ink-elevating means and receiving ink therefrom.

6. The combination, with an ink well, of a cover therefor, ink-elevating means supported by said cover and dipping into a supply of ink Within the well; said elevating means comprising elements providing a capillary space in Which ink may rise and including a Wall member of concave contour integral with said cover and having a grooved surface and a separate wall member of concave contour overlying the grooved wall member and defining therewith the capillary space; said latter wall having openings of capillary dimensions in its upper part through which ink may pass after it rises in the grooves of the capillary space and said ink-elevating means being arranged for association with a pen point and feed-bar assembly wherein the feed-bar has capillary ink storage spaces which lie above the level of ink in the well and in operative position with respect to the capillary openings of the overlying wall member.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the member dipping in the ink supply is provided with a dipping opening for the reception of the writing pen and feed-bar assembly.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein the cover is provided with a dipping opening aligned with the through bore member dipping in the ink supply.

HENRY C. KLAGGES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,215,630 Wright et al Sept. 24, 1940 2,304,832 Kofke et al Dec. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 566,195 Germany Dec. 17, 1932 

